Category: Sackville’s Memorial park

Twice in his youth, Bambi’s dad visited Jerusalem, from out of Beirut, on his Vespa scooter; the first time with his friends, the second was with his family members.

Unlike her dad, Bambi has never visited Jerusalem. Only once, she had the chance to visit this place for work reasons, as a PhD candidate. Unfortunately, although the reason of that trip was a dream conference and it was fully funded by one of her supervisors, she decided to decline this opportunity to keep being able to visit her family in her birth country. Indeed, for those who do not know it, Lebanon and Israel do not have diplomatic relationships still (and now there is a current re-occupation). In other terms, these two neighbouring countries remain in a legal state of war.

Even if she can see the beauty of Jerusalem in pictures, videos, and/or hear stories about it from here and there, Bambi does not have any spiritual dream to visit this place. She can read Jesus’ stories, or listen to prayers or Christmas songs, while using her own imagination and this is enough for her.

Despite the above, of course she understands the spiritual attachment toward this place in Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. Of note, the order used in the former sentence is strictly alphabetical since, in Bambi’s opinion, no religion should have an exclusive monopoly on Jerusalem’s beauty. As a matter of fact, the charm of this place (city or capital, as you wish), is its rich historical and spiritual heritage, at least in her mind… and from very far away.

She does not know about your own thoughts, but as far as Bambi is concerned, she is allergic to the religious component of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and to any other armed conflict, including the Lebanese civil war (1975-1990). With all due respect to everyone, she isn’t fond of the religious tension or rivalry among religions. She finds it both dangerous and absurd.

Whether it is perceived as the Temple Mount or as the Alqsa Mosque, for Bambi this so-called holy site is the same: a beautiful historical and spiritual place. The same “house” of God/G-D and maybe also a touristic site that everyone would enjoy visiting and finding inner peace in. Why not?

Of course, the above is Bambi’s own perception (yours is likely different) and the reality on the ground is something else. We all know the facts or learned about them in school, regardless of one’s preferred historical and/or current lens. One thing is clear: over the past 59-60 years, there have been many tragedies and crises related to this Temple-Mosque holy site. Many innocent people absurdly lost their lives. Others were injured. Sadly, some unwise Israeli politicians as well as Palestinian religious men fired up the crowds—on both sides.

Most recently, the media keep reporting about an odd AND uncivilized Israeli character called Mr. Itamar Ben Gvir. Along with a few settlers, Mr. Ben Gvir went to Jerusalem, despite his own government’s imposed status quo on the Temple-Mosque holy site (in which he is a Minister, imagine; https://tinyurl.com/ydeb5jcw). In the name of a personal prayer there, which would have been his natural right in a different context, he once again provoked Palestinians and many, if not most, of his fellow Israelis who do not like his reckless methods or messages.

In this highly tensed powder keg of the Israeli-conflict, as an extremist, Mr. Ben Gvir keeps provoking the extremists of the other side (e.g., Hamas et al.). Mr. Ben Gvir is putting his beloved Israel at increased risk of more troubles. Hasn’t he heard of the wise French saying that goes like this: “who sows the wind reaps the whirlwind”?

Because of this risk, at a critical time of history, does Mr. Ben Gvir deserve to remain part of his government? And most importantly, will he remain a politician after the forthcoming Israeli elections? Or will he return to his legal career and let the Israeli public life as well as the world be free of his shocking actions and statements? If so, can this give the cause of peace a better chance of one day seeing the light… if miracles exist even in apparently unsolvable world conflicts?

Unity among nations and religions, or branches of religions, is a noble and wise value. For this reason, Mr. Khamenei’s words appear to have merit. However, actions usually speak louder than words.

For decades, the Iranian regime has funded and organized proxy militias in several countries of the Middle East, including Lebanon as well as Irak and Yemen. Furthermore, the relationships of this regime with Gulf countries have been historically strained. Of course, the current, ongoing regional war between Iran and the USA (+ Israel) has worsened the context described above.

Of note, Tehran has struck Gulf countries several times, targeting both American military bases and infrastructure (water, power, buildings, etc.), namely in the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain. Similarly, whether acting independently or under the orders of the Iranian regime, proxy militias have opened fire on Israel, including Lebanon’s Hezbollah and other military groups like the Yemen’s Houthi movement and the Iraq-based Katai’b Hezbollah. We sadly now know how things are unfolding in Lebanon with the re-Israeli occupation of its South.

Today, the Iranian regime is either too desperate (most likely) or is having an epiphany moment (if miracles happen) to wisely think of unity with “Islamic” countries, “especially the countries of West Asia and the Gulf” (https://tinyurl.com/5he6u3j7). One must also remind Mr. Khamenei that, thankfully, many if not most countries are not “Islamists” like his own state.

Whether the Iranian regime is desperate or still resistant, it would be beneficial for the innocent Iranian people, Muslim world’s citizens, countries, and the entire world if Mr. Khamenei stops speaking in the name of the beautiful religion of Islam. Leaving religions out of the region’s power struggles and hegemonies would be both honest and wise.

Humans are known to naturally resist change. When it comes to radical Islamists, like Mr. Qassem, there is an additional layer of ideological rigidity along with a sense of military entitlement.

Of course, defeat is hard to swallow for any warrior. However, blind loyalty to foreign entities—without a minimum of consideration for the best interests of one’s country—is a recipe for disaster for all.

Concerning disasters, Lebanon is still recovering from (or drowning in) a multitude of crises, including but not limited to the major financial crash that affected its banking sector, the Beirut explosion, and two consecutive wars.

Given all the above, Lebanese people are tired of wars, threats to their safety, and increased reasons to leave their beautiful country. Can Mr. Qassem think of his innocent fellow citizens before making statements (https://tinyurl.com/478dm727)?

Clearly, Hezbollah’s leader remains against the America-sponsored Lebanon-Isarel framework agreement (he does not want his militia group to give its weapons to the Lebanese state). Nevertheless, what is his alternative plan, if any? Or is it to continue with wars, the ongoing one… and future ones?

If Mr. Qassem’s vision for Lebanon is to keep dragging it into wars… NO, thank you. Imperfect framework agreements remain a wiser option under the current TRAGIC circumstances. May wars, local and regional, end as soon as possible. May peace prevail in the Land of the Cedars and in its entire neighbourhood across all borders.

While searching the internet for news about her birth country, Bambi found an article about her adoptive country in the Lebanese L’Orient Le Jour. At first, she thought the title was a joke or fake news. How could it not be when it is that absurd? “Trump signs an executive order changing the name of “Lake Ontario” to “Lake America (https://tinyurl.com/b3r7uv82). This article reports that, following a “a fierce trade standoff with Canada”, Mr. Donald Trump signed an executive order to “immediately” change the name of “Lake Ontario“, located between the Canadian province of Ontario and the USA (i.e., the state of New York), to “Lake of America“. As a reminder, in the past, he did the same with the “Gulf of Mexico”, changing it into “Gulf of America” ((https://tinyurl.com/b3r7uv82).

Bambi will not get into the topic of commercial negotiations between Canada and the USA because she has not been following the news (no TV at her place and she is not interested in the details). However, she cannot help not to think of the following: (1) The behaviour seems to be childish, stemming from a character who hates to lose; and (2) Instead of changing the names of lakes and gulfs around his beautiful country, how about putting this energy to win the war against the Iranian regime?

To conclude this brief post, as usual music has the final word. Because Mr. Trump seems to “like French-Canadians” and the “French language” (https://tinyurl.com/5n78kwp6), here are two songs for him. The first is Dalida’s “Paroles Paroles” [Words, Words], which Bambi has offered more than once to Mr. Justin Trudeau : ). The second is Mr. Joe Dassin’s l’Amérique [America!], which Bambi likes to share to highlight July 4th.

How can Bambi go to sleep before wishing her dear readers and close ones a Happy “Mawlid al Nabi”? Blessings and love to everyone. Healing and hope for safer and brighter days to all!

💚💚💚

In an older post shared below, Bambi paid tribute to Mr. Nagi Zeidan who devoted his life to his expertise and passion, the Jewish community of Lebanon. This has resulted in him being called “A friend of the Jews” [“Amis des juifs” in French]. May his memory be eternal.

Following this post, a new reader kindly approached Bambi who offered him the promise of honouring his late Lebanese mother, with a stone on her Jewish grave during her next trip to her birth country. Sadly, she couldn’t honour her promise yet, even if she visited Lebanon for family reasons (due to two devastating and ongoing wars). She is still dreaming to meet this promise if at all possible. For those who do not know it, small stones placement on graves is a beautiful Jewish tradition to remember and honour the deceased.

Regardless, the topic of graves is close to Bambi’s heart at all times, and especially today (hi mama habibi. May your memory be eternal… today more than ever 💜). Related to this, keeping the Jewish memory in her birth country—along with the memory of the other 17 different religions—means the world to her.

Given all the above, Bambi cannot help not to wonder why did Israel “request the transfer of the remains of Jews buried in cemeteries in Lebanon to Israel as part of negotiations between Jerusalem and Beirut over a permanent agreement“? Of note, the information about this request was cited in The New Arab (https://tinyurl.com/7uan9635) and in the Times of Israel (https://tinyurl.com/mpdm2bfm) respectively. Of note, the Times of Israel cite a vague source for the information (“report”).

Going back in time five months earlier, we can learn from “Prof. Alex Weinreb, chair of the Demography Area and Research Director at the Taub Center” that Israel is lacking cemetery space. One of the reasons might be the following, as cited by the Jerusalem Post: “Only 10% of Israel’s Jewish secular population would favor cremation over burial as the default practice. In contrast, almost 100% of people who die in Japan are cremated, 80% in South Korea, and over 60% in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom” (https://tinyurl.com/42msv7ud).

Bambi is a strong believer in the values of humanity, respect, dignity, LOVE, and… ideally peace. Her (impossible?) dream is to see peace being co-built and prevailing in the Middle East, instead of endless walls and wars. Within this dream, Jewish cemeteries would remain where they belong in Beirut, Sidon, and elsewhere. Within this dream, Lebanon would be finally and truly sovereign. Israel would be back to its borders (out of Lebanon) and both neighbouring countries would be safe for all their citizens and for their tourists.

Why can’t Lebanese people of Jewish ancestry safely visit the Land of the Cedars to deposit stones on the graves of their loved ones, just like other Lebanese people in the diaspora? And why can’t Lebanon proudly and explicitly celebrate all the components of its rich heritage, including Judaism?

—

Thank you, Mr. Nagi Zeidan, for having been a “friend of the Jews”. May your memory be eternal

Bambi’s heart is heavy as she reads about today’s high death toll and injuries in South Lebanon, including children (https://tinyurl.com/25y2wzns). Once again, civilians caught in the middle of a cruel war between Israel and the Hezbollah.

The current head of the Hezbollah, Mr. Naim Qassem, declared on March 11, 2026 the following: “We remain loyal to your command” and he meant the Iranian Khamenei Junior, namely Mr. Mojtaba Khamenei, as reported by l’Orient today (https://tinyurl.com/rderbk4y). Think about it, it is as if Bambi instead of being loyal and loving toward Canada, she is pledging allegiance to Serbia or to Greece because they are Eastern Christians or Greek Orthodox, like her. Does this make any sense?

Nevertheless, had Mr. Qassem wanted to love the Iranian regime in his heart more than his country, he is free. The problem is that he is serving the interests of a foreign country over those of his own country. For instance, he did so recently by dragging Lebanon into war with Israel. His militia keeps refusing to give up its weapons and to consistently reject the (direct) talks Lebanon-Israel (https://tinyurl.com/3mdyfe5r).

Not only the above. Yesterday evening, the same Mr. Qassem declared the following (https://tinyurl.com/3mdyfe5r): “Israel is attempting to bind Lebanon to an inquiry committee that oversees the army’s deployment, operations, and internal details. Where is the patriotism? Where is the dignity of the army that ought to be preserved?”

Of note, the question about patriotism is coming from the same man who has pledged allegiance to Iran. Do you see the contradiction, like Bambi does? And what can the official Lebanon do about it? Mr. Qassem’s militia has coordinated military actions with the Iranian “Ambassador” and yet he is publicly shaming the Lebanese state. How is this logical? And how is it fair to Lebanon?

Between the fighting foreign forces, namely the USA, Israel, and Iran (externally and internally with the Hezbollah’s attitude and actions), Lebanon remains hostage. May its latest nightmare end. Enough of violence and senseless death. May peace prevail in the Land of the Cedars and among nations. It is overdue.

“Bonne Quinzou”; Happy National Acadian Day (https://tinyurl.com/379kpht7). ❤️. What a beautiful day, matching the Feast of the Assumption of Mary, to celebrate the moving Acadian story; from its harsh history to a dynamic presence AND continuity, from a rich heritage to a beautiful language, which is proudly (still) spoken in the Maritimes (+ beyond!), and from inspiring collective resilience to an uplifting joy of living!

It is on this special day of August 15 that Fadi, Bambi’s childhood friend, was born. Happy Birthday and lots of wishes of happiness to Fadi and his family ❤️!

Some readers of this blog, or their loved ones, are called Mary, Marie, Maria, Myriam, Maryam, Marouma, etc. Happy name day to ALL of them, especially to Mary and Marouma 🙂 ❤️❤️!

Of note, August 15 is a public holiday in many countries, including Lebanon; and in Haiti this public holiday follows another important day off (August 14). Of course, the latter is also an opportunity to respectfully pay tribute to those who lost their lives in the devastating 2010 earthquake ❤️,

If she may now, on this meaningful day, Bambi sends a friendly as well as respectful wink to heaven to (“tante”… and Dr.) Dolly. Thanks to her for having existed in Bambi’s childhood and life. What a significant presence and a source of inspiration. May her memory be eternal ❤️.

This being said, Bambi sends her loving cheers to “Abouna” [Father] Elias, his parishioners, and to Bambi’s extended family in Beirut and abroad. May the Theotokos (or Saint Mary) keep protecting everyone ❤️.

Last but not least, on this meaningful spiritual day, warm regards to a charming Lebanese village, which Bambi hadn’t visited yet, although it lives in her heart since her childhood (thanks to Sousou in heaven… and to Zeina et al.). This village has been celebrating August 15th year after year… May peace prevail in “Ain Ebel” and in the entire Lebanon ❤️!

On the 24th of August, 2026, the city of Montreal (“Ville de Montréal”) is considering voting on a motion to end economic and diplomatic ties with Israel because of its “genocide” toward Gazans or the Palestinian people (https://tinyurl.com/4vknprw9).

Located 5,600 miles (about 9,000 km) away from Gaza, Montreal has its own social, economic, and safety-related issues. For instance, despite its charm, Montreal has issues like traffic, construction and street closing, old bridges’ decay, housing concerns, homelessness, drug abuse, a gang problem, etc.

Instead of strictly focusing on all of the above and on municipal politics, the city of Montreal wants to vote on a motion to boycott Israel and Israeli companies. How is this relevant to Montrealers? AND how is this going to help the Palestinians?

For those who do not know it, Montreal has an “Office of Government and International Relations and Protocol”, which is meant to “represent, promote, and position Montréal vis-à-vis governments, organizations, and institutions in Québec, Canada, and internationally” (https://tinyurl.com/3vsjh386). Clearly, this office does not seem to be meant for political postering or virtue signalling.

Although Bambi has always been compassionate toward the Palestinian people AND Israel has sadly re-occupied her birth country (in its war against the Hezbollah), she will ask again: if this motion is passed, how is it going to help the Palestinian people concretely? And do Montreal’s local politicians, including those pushing for the anti-Israel motion, truly care about Gazans?

Who knows, perhaps some genuinely care. However, as the MP for Mount Royal, Mr. Anthony Housefather said: “it wasn’t the city’s place to weigh in on international issues” and this motion would “trigger hate and make Jews feel uncomfortable in Montreal” (https://tinyurl.com/efp58h6v).

Bambi is not Jewish, and left Montreal 22 years ago, yet she agrees with Mr. Housefather on this one. Why is the “Ville de Montréal” taking this risk?

Bambi has not watched many movies in her life thus far, especially in the most recent years (sometimes she catches up on movies on airplanes). However, a 1995 movie that moved her soul was about death penalty. You might guess that it was “Dead Man walking” in which Ms. Susan Sarandon played the role of the inspiring Sister Helen Prejean. She received a well-deserved “Academy Award for Best Actress” for her outstanding performance.

Of note, sister Helen Prejean, an American nun, has devoted her life to offering spiritual counselling to death row inmates. She has supported families of victims and offenders while advocating against the capital punishment. It is her famous 1993 book, called Dead Man Walking, that was turned into the movie mentioned above. Thank you Sister Prejean for your humanity, legacy, and worldwide inspiration (https://tinyurl.com/5e6aevtm).

Bravo to Lebanon’s own advocates who worked hard to encourage their country to officially abolish the death penalty, that is, from all its laws. Perhaps the most famous activist in the Land of Cedars is Dr. Ougarit Younan (https://tinyurl.com/2ntuyj5s) for whom (social) justice, human rights, and non-violence methods are dear to her heart since 1983 in the middle of a bloody civil war.

As reported by Reuters (https://tinyurl.com/53b5hfx2), Lebanon maintained “a ​de facto moratorium on executions since 2004” ( ). Today, it “replaced all existing death sentences with ​life imprisonment“. Today, Bambi’s birth country is in the international media again, but this time for positive, historic news. Indeed, the vote of the Lebanese Parliament is a first in the Middle East and the Lebanese Parliament should be commended for this highly significant decision!

She does not know about you, dear readers, but Bambi has always been against the application of the death penalty to anyone, including high-profile criminals or dictators, even if they kill, massacre, or harm all her loved ones at once (may God forbid). For her, it is a principle, or a value, which applies to ALL human beings; similar to no-violence (respect) toward everyone. Same for the principle of freedom of expression for all.

At the end of the day, who are we to decide of a sentence of death OR life of another human being? And what about possible legal mistakes (wrongful convictions)? Or potential abuses (to crush dissent)?

To conclude this post, bravo to Lebanon for this great day!